For-hire carrier authority - Alabama

Intrastate

Persons who engage in non-exempt transportation by motor vehicle for compensation must have appropriate operating authority from the Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) to conduct operations intrastate in Alabama (from one point in Alabama to another point in Alabama). Common carriers are those who serve the public or members of the public requesting their service and must have a certificate of public convenience and necessity. Contract carriers are those who operate under special or individual contracts or agreements, and must have a permit.

To transport property generally, except household goods, an application for a certificate or permit with the required attachments and a $100 filing fee is required for commercial vehicles. The fee applies to commercial vehicles at any weight. Forms E and H must be submitted by the insurance company. Carriers operating intrastate only must also submit a Form B-2 application to obtain Vehicle Registration Numbers at a fee of $6 per vehicle.

Household goods carriers transporting property from one residence to another within Alabama must file an application for a certificate or permit with the required attachments and $100 filing fee. Forms E and H must be submitted by the insurance company. Carriers operating intrastate only must also submit a Form B-2 application to obtain Vehicle Registration Numbers at a fee of $6 per vehicle. This number is not transferable and remains permanently with the vehicle to which it was issued. Household goods carriers must submit its tariff showing the rates, charges, rules and practices for its household goods moving service and the services provided in connection with the moving services.

In all cases, carriers must meet the requirements for a safety program, lettering of vehicles, annual reports, and insurance filings. Unless an operation is exempt, the law prohibits operations without a certificate issued by the Commission; submission of insurance filings alone, and/or an application will not meet the requirements of the law or prevent enforcement actions (citations and fines). Contact the Public Service Commission concerning exemptions from these requirements.

Lettering of vehicles: All motor carriers holding a certificate of authority issued by the PSC and are common carriers of passengers in vehicles with a capacity of five passengers or less, shall display the following on each side of the power unit:

• The business name under which the certificate or permit was issued
• The name of the city were the carrier’s principal place of business was issued.
• “ASPC Cert.” followed by the carrier’s certificate number if a common carrier; “ASPC Permit” followed by the carrier’s permit number, if a contract carrier only.
• “APSC Reg. No.” followed by the registration number issued by the PSC for that power unit.

All letters and numbers as listed above should be legibly painted directly on the sides of the power unit. Letters and numbers must be contrasting in color and in letters not less than 2 inches in size, provided the information is displayed by using self-adhesive signs or placards. Required lettering and information should not be placed on a fuel tank or on a portion of the vehicle designed principally to protect cargo.

Livestock Haulers Permit: Alabama requires anyone transporting livestock for resale, market, or slaughter on any public road or highway in Alabama to obtain a Livestock Hauler (Dealers) Permit at an annual fee of $30 per vehicle. Alabama issues a permit plate for identification of each vehicle. Contact the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries.

Insurance: Intrastate: $100,000/300,000 PL, $50,000 PD, $5,000 cargo (Form H and Form E required).

Interstate

Alabama is a participating member of the Unified Carrier Registration Agreement (UCRA). Online registration and fee payment is recommended and available to all carriers at the national UCRA website at www.ucr.in.gov.

Refer to Unified Carrier Registration Agreement (UCRA) for the current fee schedule.